THE BEST MODIFIED VW UP! GTI IN THE UK?

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE HERE AND GET ME TO 50K (big thanks all those that have got me to 40k)
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Visit Gilks' Garage Cafe;
gilksgaragecafe.com/
Follow Andy on Instagram @fast_upp
Follow me on Instagram @volkswizard.co.uk
*SINCE THIS VIDEO WAS PUBLISHED, WE HAVE DECIDED AGAINST AN UP! GTI PROJECT ON THE CHANNEL. THIS IS MAINLY BECAUSE IT'S NOT A GLOBAL PRODUCT AND THEREFORE INTEREST (AND VIEW COUNT) WILL BE TOO SMALL TO JUSTIFY THE TIME, EFFORT AND COST INVOLVED*
In this video I share with you what I think is one of the very best modified Up! GTIs in the UK.
It was developed by its current owner over the 4.5 years he has owned it until it's been honed into the car the Up! GTI always should have been.
This video can be divided into the following chapters;
00:00 Quick preview
00:03 Intro graphics by @haslerdesigns
00:09 Explanation of the purpose of this video
00:51 A musical interlude
01:43 Thanks to Gilks' Garage Cafe
02:14 Owner profile
03:05 Factory options
03:50 External modifications
06:47 Under the bonnet
07:52 Interior modifications
09:40 Driving
15:10 Sign off

[@neils1643]

It’s funny how these little cars get under your skin once you’ve had one. I’ve not had mine for 2 years and every time I see one on the road I smile and think that owner is having fun. Wish I could buy my old one back.

[@mattpyart]

I feel exactly the same way.😢

[@volkswizard]

@@mattpyart Me too!

[@Danny-1875]

Just had my up gti mapped by JBS with the TCS mod. What a difference. Especially in 1st and 2nd gear with the traction control off

[@ThiagoCBarna]

I have one UP TSI stage 2 is very Nice ride 230nm 135whp ethanol

[@currybreadjapan]

I found this channel because I bought this car and wanted to find out more information about it. In Japan, this car is few in number and has few owners but I'd love to enjoy my UP GTI!

[@IMTHEBIGGESTCUNT]

My Up!’s running 163BHP on a 4WD set’UP 😉 It’s only a single seater, totally stripped out.. but my god! It’s an absolute hoot! 😃 It took an age to map the sequential box, but it’s now capable of behaving (sensibly) on public roads. Not enough for a daily driver… entertaining it certainly is! 😃👍

[@zombeloffical]

Video or it didnt happen

[@zaink7037]

Nicely modified. I'm near the end of my UP project. Fitted most of the things found in the higher models like heated seats, electric mirrors plus sound pack and custom rear reversing camera and sensors. I need some help removing the steering wheel light and traction control light which is linked to the steering angle sensor Nice also for you to relive the UPs again.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks! Yes indeed, I used to drive them regularly until I stopped selling cars, last one I drove was back in the summer for the Racingline remap and enjoyed that. It's good to not drive one daily as each time I do, it reminds me how bloody good it is (considering price) - hence the continued want factor which will hopefully be resolved soon

[@andrewmcivor42]

I SO wish my Wife had bought one of these! I absolutely love the Up! GTi, it's in the true spirit of a small, chuckable fun car. These mods also show what a wee gem VW created - it's a shame that they didn't offer some of these upgrades on the standard car (particularly the wider tyres & suspension). I did find an issue with the 3dr though, when we test drive one - I couldn't get the seat to go back quite far enough for me (& I'm not exceptionally tall - 6'2"), I didn't have this issue with the 5dr Up! Beats TSi my Wife had at the time (or her previous 64 plate High Up! 75hp). I could drive it, but felt like I could do with the seat another notch back. For me, I'd have the factory options on that car - I'd probably have got the Beats Soundpack too, but I guess you could do better with an aftermarket set up anyway (I certainly would - I was always into "dB over HP" when i was younger, certainly less hassle to insure🤣). The "tinniness" of the car is easy enough to fix - put soundproofing on the doors/boot floor. That does add weight, to be fair, but it works - I used to mod my cars with Dynamat, with upgraded ICE. Haven't bothered since I started making do with standard fit premium audio (Dynaudio in the golf, for example). The suspension upgrades are excellent (not sure I'd bother with the mounts though) - pretty much a "must have" upgrade for any Up! GTi owner. Particularly impressive that your test was on winter tyres too - I've got mine on my Golf just now & it pretty much spoils the cornering (although I'm 2" down on the summer wheels). I'd also give the air intakes a miss, a bit "boy racer" for me - although a good sports exhaust is nice. I had a Janspeed on my old Vauxhall Cavalier, back in the day - that was decent, without being excessive, a nice burble, without the banging/popping, which I don't like at all - not convinced with that Scorpion exhaust, although it does look good at the back. On a personal note: I'll thank you for 2 things - persuading me to finally use Apple CarPlay & Waze, far better satnav and audio control than the standard VW setup. And for telling us all about Gilks Garage cafe - I dropped in a few months ago & it was superb 👌.

[@Tommmcat1990]

Lovely car. Minor point: fitting the rear disc kit doesn't affect brake biasing at all.

[@volkswizard]

It doesn't affect the amount of fluid the ABS controller sends to the the rear brakes no, but don't you think discs and pads will use that hydraulic pressure more effectively, thereby increasing the amount of braking effort at rear axle?

[@Tommmcat1990]

@@volkswizard I don't know what to tell ya, man. They just don't - maybe it's the size of the disc/pads used so surface area matches the larger surface area of the drum/shoe? They're quite small discs off a lupo. I was skeptical but enough people have them now that I took the plunge and glad I did. The car feels exactly the same as before but looks like a GTI should, will be easier to maintain and doesn't have sticky handbrake.

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

On such a light car with this weight distribution you don't want rear disks: do virtually nothing at normal road use. If I look at the disks of my other (light) cars: rust. A problem for the MOT.

[@Tommmcat1990]

@@asphalthedgehog6580 no rust yet - they work enough to keep them clean 🤷

[@andysautomotiveadventures9587]

@@volkswizard in theory the abs/ebd system should work that out and compensate appropriately

[@butchmeister80]

Follow this guy on socials, looks fun the dashboards in these cars put me off look really cheap and plasticky as do the seats. I have the 1.0 in my seat Ibiza fr must shift in this being so small.

[@m4xww]

Whilst basic, it is very well put together, and you would probably be pleasantly surprised by it (for the money, obviously).

[@garys7828]

We need to cherish these cars. Which legislation will kill off in the future. I can see these becoming a cult car in years to come 😎👍

[@Nixter1974007]

Can anybody tell me what's the best tyre pressure for fronts please? 205/40/17 tyres. Thanks!

[@Birmingham_racing]

Nice little cars but not enough to get me too excited

[@ThiagoCBarna]

I do launch control My UP desable Fuse 30A , turnoff TC

[@rajchoudhury5130]

Love the up gti!! Power to weight is just, well.......... Excellent video and car

[@andym1908]

Great stuff Andrew. That exhaust is purposeful .

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Andy, it's the perfect system for that car

[@stewartoetegenn9751]

Just about finished with my little project, really just the exhaust to look at next. Look forward to seeing you get yours and the mods you do.

[@volvos60bloke]

looking forard to the day's you have british car's on your channel

[@kawzx777]

Another great vw that we didnt get here in the states 😢

[@philipbarkle3837]

Another great video Andrew, hope you get your Up gti soon😀I got mine off the back of watching your your vids,and I love it.

[@larsmeijerink5471]

I have my up now on stage one and on the bank i have 141hp and 247Nm tourge. I could get more out of it but i had the wrong gas in it thats why its this low. Im going to get it up to stage 3 soon

[@jackoe5836]

Managed to order an Up GTI today, despite them putting a freeze on new orders. Looking forward to it!

[@rasherbasher8203]

Love it... fantastic little car. 3 door looks so much better than a 5 door. Just wish they put the 1.4 t engine from the blue gt in these. Instead of the 1 litre. Great video thank you👍👆

[@benjaminmittlmeier5419]

That's my project right now 😉 in my GTI comes a 1.4 engine from the Audi A3 8V with another turbo and geared and complete brake system. Hopefully with over 250hp. The engine will come in next month ;) But it will take months :(

[@Murphy252000]

I'm almost in the position to try and buy a golf clubsport-s, I have a remapped up, with eibach streets, turbo elbow, panel filter and ps5. I honestly don't know if the golf with blow my socks off all that much more, I drove a normal clubsport and off course it's faster, but I never got out thinking I need that now. What do you think volkswizard having had both, the golf however will only go up in price.

[@danielrussell446]

Great video as ever Andrew I bet that is a real hoot to drive the up is one Volkswagen I have never driven but reminds me a lot of the time I drove a Renault 5 GT turbo credit to the owner on all the modifications he has done it’s a car well loved and to be treasured

[@briankeenan6553]

I love my little up gti , just a stage 1 does me ,I have to admit this looks banging though …

[@volkswizard]

Stage 1 is all that little car needs but upgrading tyres and ideally suspension will allow you to enjoy it even more without the traction control ruining things (better tyre contact = more grip = less TC). Also looks better a bit lower as you say 😉

[@briankeenan6553]

New tyres ordered Michelin ps4s to go with its daddy the R 7.5 🙏 keep the great content comming 😊

[@chirpywiggins5796]

Looking at a stage 1 OEM + from Racing line for my Up GTI . Can the car cope with it safely without without induction kits etc. It's the only mod it'd do as well as upgrading the tyres from those Goodyears.

[@briankeenan6553]

@@chirpywiggins5796 yes that’s where I had mine done , u really need to change the tyres to get the most of it , it flys in 3rd gear

[@scottjohnson4885]

Really wish we got one of these stateside…hope u land one to build to your liking 👍

[@chrismc1977]

I can imagine a koni/eibach kit would be a great budget upgrade. The only thing I’d want addressing is the way the revs hang between changes. Seems a foible of so many modern turbo cars!

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

What I don't understand that everyone is putting Michelin PS tires under this car. In principe there are 3 brands to choose from according Tire Reviews, and funny thing is: on sportiness the Michelin never wins. The best handling and subjective sportiest tire is the Conti Premiumcontact, which is not even a sports tire. I have them on the UP and the MX5: fantastic tire. Waiting for the PC-7 reviews. "But the fastest tyre, and the most sporty was ironically once again one of the few tyres without the word sport, F1, race etc in its name, the Continental PremiumContact 6. I was really happy this tyre performed well again, I had my suspicions it was the Conti when testing as it had excellent dynamic steering with a nice weight, really quick sharp reactions, and great levels of grip across the three laps. The PremiumContact 6 might be getting on in its years, but it's still totally fabulous as a dry handling tyre!"

[@chroniccrypto75]

The rear GTI badge looks a tiny bit crooked but maybe it’s me?

[@zzhughesd]

Eh Up!!! Didn’t even mean to write that !!! Almost bought the GTi. auto social did too. I didn’t. But I do have time for them !!!!!!!

[@Huuntr]

It'd be great to know which version of the dogbone insert he's running as I understand their are 3 different variants

[@damianwillemsen9224]

Tastefully modified, really nice car! Have you considered going for an up tsi as a project car Andrew? They are significantly cheaper than the gti's here and you only miss out on the short ratio 6 speed gearbox and 286mm brake discs. Absolutely love mine, even after 5 years of ownership already!

[@sobrecarros3385]

Tenho um up tsi no Brasil. Veja no meu canal .. O meu está com piggyback da marca tork one. Consigo 140 cv

[@smiler921]

Full marks for summer wheel choice and the bronze for winter

[@volkswizard]

Agreed

[@georgeapplegate2091]

Have you been able to remove the TC Fully?!

[@tonyjazz4073]

Great video Andrew. Cracking car. So with a potential Up project, your Mk2 project and the Corrado finished (?) you need a garage? No wait...!

[@NewHandle_]

More of these lightly modified vids pls 😎

[@ianduncan325]

If I need something to cure my insomnia, I now know where to look.😴😴😴😴

[@Miamivice74]

Mine is at the port in Germany awaiting delivery....can't wait!😁👍

[@john1059]

Love the up GTI BUT there is a problem that is driving me nuts!!!! Ours keeps destroying the sidewall of the front tyres with the appalling pot holes on our roads. Have you come across this problem? Any solutions? Different tyres? Softer springs but then may be insurance problems?. Would be interested in your thoughts. Excellent videos as always.

[@jamescollins408]

Yip, burst front offside tyre twice in six months on/in Edinburgh potholes. £145 to replace on each occasion. Edinburgh City Clowncils' insurer Gallagher Bassett refused both claims. Still trying to progress them. I think It's the tyre sidewall which needs reinforcing during manufacture. Same thing happens with Michelin PS4s.

[@whitefamily9815]

Have a look on the up owners forum. Plenty of discussion of the problem and possible solutions. Most people go to 16s or replace the factory tyres with 205/40 Michelin ps5 or gy f6

[@Baxter91]

@@jamescollins408 Fife is just as bad. Pain in the arse.

[@jamescollins408]

@@Baxter91 Basically, I've had to learn where all the potholes are and when new ones form. So I rarely drive more than 15 minutes, from home, in any direction, because I'm just gonna have a burst tyre. So Edinburgh is well on it's way to being a 15 minute city. Used to leave love going for a drive in Fife too... Failure to maintain the roads is now a UK-wide problem.

[@rogerhudson9732]

What about modifications of an E-Up! ?

[@NiceGuyAidey]

Cracking cars, like ive said to you on twitter, recently got myself back in an Up gti after the misery of the Mk8R and so much happier, enjoy my daily drives again. Not sure i would re-map etc tho

[@solefreak2]

Wow an Up over a mk8 R? Why?

[@NiceGuyAidey]

@@solefreak2 Yea, first thing was im not doing enough mileage to keep the R, it was a nightmare on running costs then, tax was £520, insurance went up a little bit, The R was ok to drive, but the interior was so annoying its mental, constant bugs in the infotainment on mine and drove me mad in the end. Due to the demand issues i got a great deal when i sold it, i outright owned the car so money back in the bank mate, The Up gti is just what i need, cheap tax, insurance and running, and gets me back and fourth to work each day no issues!

[@solefreak2]

@@NiceGuyAidey Fair play, if it makes sense then why not.

[@NiceGuyAidey]

@@solefreak2 Yea just have to make decisions for the best in life sometimes, it was becoming an expensive ornament lol. .... a great car the Mk8, if they could only fit the mk7.5 interior in it lol... cheers mate

[@robreason9470]

Impressive! Looks and sounds a lot of fun. I look forward to your project UP.

[@Birmingham_racing]

If you want to do a project do an old mk4 gti they still have a big fan base and the engine aswell

[@carllynch8798]

A good mate of mine fitted pole position seats in he’s up GTI ❤

[@vr6280]

I'd love one - unfortunately my mrs doesn't like them. That 1.0 TSI is a fantasic engine :)

[@simonthompson9380]

Prices are currently shocking when you look back at the new prices in your early videos

[@volkswizard]

Tell me about it. Are people actually buying them? I guess if you didn't know you could have a new one for £12750 with discount, the current prices look OK and the finance won't be massively different.

[@wullielove8680]

My son bought the up gti in white 3door 19 plate £14,300 u say they were £12k new lol

[@Fahrschule_Regenbogenirrlicht]

I am very pleased to hear that You plan to purchase a VW Up! GTI again and to establish it as a new project car! I am watching and enjoying each of Your superb videos but new Up! GTI content would be an emotional return to the good old times! Wish You all the best of luck for finding a good exemplar but if anyone could do it then it is You!👍👍👍👍

[@rekareks6656]

What is the better purchase updated Mk7 or mk8?

[@volkswizard]

Lots of factors to consider, generally a current model can be had for not much more than a late model previous generation car because VW tended to over supply the UK and discounts to clear stock were not unusual. Those days have gone because of lack of new cars so it's tricky. Without a big discount on new I'd go used but in the UK 7.5 GTI & R are still too dear following 2021/22 price increases due to increase in demand following lack of new cars

[@rekareks6656]

@@volkswizard thanks 👍🏾 really enjoy your honest content..

[@rekareks6656]

@@volkswizard hello there sir, my dream car would be a Scirocco body with a mk8 interior is this possible?

[@andym1908]

FastUPs UP! GTI . lovely 😍

[@ivankuljis1780]

I have a 2013 Up! fully optioned in Silver. I love driving it____3 6 l per 100 kms is my best economy run. It's the only water cooled VW/Porsche l've owned ( 103 cars ) We never got the GTi in Oz. Now waiting on my CYBRTRK

[@philipguacci6452]

Volkswagen Oz never sold the Up GTI down under. It's weaker siblings were priced too high and failed to sell well. So its sad demise. I saw one the other day and it's size is not what Aussies want. SUV s from Toyota Mazda and Honda is what people want. And Trucks Utes etc. Prices for cars have gotten too high. A new GTI or Golf R are heading north at an alarming rate. If you can get one. Cheers Andrew.

[@stevesje71]

You’ve nearly written off a few Up’s before you say? 😮

[@volkswizard]

The first one I ever drove and a press car, just because the eco tyres lose grip very suddenly, driven loads of fast cars much harder but on proper tyres. A GTi on ECO tyres is a strange combination

[@chrismlarge1]

Loads of eibach kits I see seem to lower the front more than the back, do they do this on purpose?

[@Trevorb33]

Great cars if only Skoda made one 😜

[@volkswizard]

Citigo is a great car but doesn't get any of the turbo models you get with VW (TSI 90 and GTI), however the normally aspirated engines are still fine and much cheaper

[@markleaman6691]

The clue is in his user name 😉 he has done a full Up GTi transplant.....

[@Trevorb33]

😂

[@MrCdt]

Sorry I think I will stick to my polo GTi 6c

[@DVDFHardTarget]

Just dont like what they did with the back of the car.

[@Zero_Ninety]

RIP UP! Gti

[@volkswizard]

Haha, not just yet - apparently it's temporary deletion from range. My guess is that semi-conductors are now available in the required numbers for VWG to build SUVs and clear the backlog of orders. Bratislava has always been an SUV factory with Up! being more of a side line so makes sense to stop Up! production and make more profitable SUVs instead. If you look at the cost of T Cross vs Polo you will see we pay 20% more for basically the same car with just more air underneath it!

[@Zero_Ninety]

@@volkswizard " If you look at the cost of T Cross vs Polo you will see we pay 20% more for basically the same car with just more air underneath it!" DON'T even get me started on this....

[@Julia-xz7vb]

I thought you meant "rip up" ... 😮

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

VW indeed said you can't order them anymore and they only will deliver already ordered ones. So, let's see. The E-UP can be bought again, so you never know.

[@paulwilson7234]

Very nice.

[@davidbates247]

Personally I'd rather have a st or vxr much more performance for the money

[@FKNSND]

It’s got 200 less horse power than my UP

[@ivanb3303]

Up is a fab Car pity never the Gti came to Oz

[@torbenchristensen5032]

En lækker lille GTI, men.alt for dyr i DK!

[@volkswizard]

for dyrt her i Storbritannien nu!

[@pauledmonds3249]

Great review Andrew.

[@kd2833]

Get a swift sport better car for the money

[@markrennie6659]

You've done it now, 'wizard! My other half @jackwahleen just watched this with me and is now asking about modifying hers!! Which can only cost me dearly and mean less £££ for modding my S3...! 😵‍💫 - @volksrocket

[@Julia-xz7vb]

imagine that a "lady driver" wanting a modified boy racer car hahahhaha 😂

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

My wife hates the B14's on hers. Well, in fact she hates the hard ride, she doesn't know I modified it. It's a compromise anyway and quite noisy too. The very best mod to the car is: buy good non-eco tires.